SUMMERTIME BEACHES ARE PRIME WILDLIFE NESTING AREAS

June 1, 2005
CONTACT: Nancy Douglass or Gary Morse (863) 648-3203
Robbin Trindell (850) 922-4330

Summer on the state’s beaches is a time of renewal for many of Florida’s imperiled wildlife species. Tucked away among the dunes and shells of the gulf coast, least terns, skimmers, plovers, sea turtles and many other native species set about the age old task of ensuring the survival of the next generation.

But survival is not assured for Florida’s beach-dependant species. Much of Florida’s coastline has been significantly altered or destroyed. Contributing to the difficulties is the fact that human recreational activities and nesting activity peak at about the same time. Imperiled species are forced to compete with humans for the narrow strips of sand on the state’s barrier islands, with mixed results.

Beach-nesting birds often get nervous around human recreational activities like beach volleyball, kite surfing or the family pet romping after a windblown Frisbee. Birds reacting to these activities may be frightened off their nests leaving their chicks or eggs vulnerable to a variety of life-threatening circumstances.

That’s why professional wildlife biologists and volunteers mobilize to post areas, gather data, inform the public and monitor progress of wildlife offspring.

The process generally starts in April when beach-nesting birds stake out suitable sites, followed by sea turtle nesting in May. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in cooperation with other local, state and federal agencies, coordinates efforts aimed at educating the public and protecting beach-nesting wildlife during critical nesting periods. A cadre of volunteers from the FWC and private organizations like the Audubon Society maintain watch over nesting sites and aid educational efforts.

Colonies are protected by posting signs, roping off the affected area and contacting local residents about temporary beach closures. Posted areas are closed to public access from the time they are posted until Aug. 31 when the young have left the nesting area.

The FWC and its partners try to contact residents whose beachfront is affected. Most residents and visitors are highly supportive and take responsibility for keeping a watchful eye on the nesting colony.

“Shorebirds, marine turtles and their nests and eggs enjoy protection under state and federal law. It is however, the public’s sense of stewardship for the resource that’s the real key to protecting future generations of beach-nesting wildlife,” said Nancy Douglass, Regional Nongame Wildlife Biologist for the FWC.

Disturbances by people or their pets pose a significant problem for beach-nesting birds.

“It’s not so much that people don’t care, it’s that beach nesting birds are difficult to detect,” said Douglass.

The nests are simple shallow depressions in the sand and eggs are well camouflaged. People and their pets inadvertently romp through nesting areas and surf kites, which nesting parents mistake for large predators tend to cause the greatest problems. Once adult birds are frightened off the nest even for a short time, it exposes their young to the ravages of the summer sun. Without its parent providing shade, it only takes a few minutes for temperatures in the nest to rise above 100 degrees, causing the death of the chick.

Young chicks and eggs are also a favorite target of seagulls when parents are not immediately available to challenge hungry predators. People walking in nesting areas may also inadvertently step on the well-camouflaged eggs.

“We’re asking those who use our state’s beaches to avoid nesting areas where colonies of shorebirds are tending their eggs or young chicks. We’re not asking people to stop kite surfing or enjoying the beach, we’re just asking beachgoers to avoid a handful of areas close to where there are nesting birds,” said Douglass.

Sea turtle nesting season coincides with shorebird nesting. Nesting season generally ends for marine turtles and shorebirds in about late August.

Protection of sea turtles is a multi-level government effort that starts with local lighting ordinances (MyFWC.com/psm/turtles/lighting/ordinance.htm) and culminates with the FWC’s own volunteer sea turtle protection network that looks out for nests and helps rescue stranded or disturbed turtles.

“Beachfront lights are a particular problem for sea turtles when they try to navigate their way to good nesting areas. Newly hatched turtles are susceptible to beach lighting that can draw them away from the safety of gulf waters,” said Dr. Robbin Trindell, Imperiled Species Biological Administrator for the FWC.

There are ways that beach-front property owners can modify their lights to prevent them from being seen from the beach. The following is a list of suggestions that may need to be used in conjunction with one another in order to prevent sea turtle disorientation.

These tips can be found at MyFWC.com/psm/turtles/lighting/pollute.htm.  For more information on protecting critical beach nesting areas, visit FWC's Share the Beach page.

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